Artificial fertilizers are made from a variety of inorganic materials, primarily:
* Nitrogen (N):
* Ammonia (NH3): The most common source, produced from natural gas through the Haber-Bosch process.
* Urea (CO(NH2)2): Synthesized from ammonia and carbon dioxide.
* Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3): Produced by reacting ammonia with nitric acid.
* Phosphorus (P):
* Phosphate rock (Ca5(PO4)3(OH,F,Cl)): Mined rock that is processed into various forms, including:
* Single superphosphate (SSP): Reacted with sulfuric acid.
* Triple superphosphate (TSP): Reacted with phosphoric acid.
* Diammonium phosphate (DAP): Reacted with ammonia.
* Monoammonium phosphate (MAP): Reacted with ammonia.
* Potassium (K):
* Potassium chloride (KCl): Mined from deposits of potassium salts.
* Potassium sulfate (K2SO4): Produced by reacting potassium chloride with sulfuric acid.
Other ingredients:
* Sulfur (S): Often added to fertilizers to improve plant growth.
* Magnesium (Mg): Important for chlorophyll production.
* Calcium (Ca): Helps with cell wall formation.
* Micronutrients: Trace amounts of essential elements like iron, zinc, boron, etc., which are crucial for plant health.
Formulations:
Artificial fertilizers are available in various formulations, depending on the desired nutrient ratios and specific needs of the crop:
* Granular: Most common form, easy to apply.
* Liquid: Applied through irrigation systems.
* Powder: Often used for specialty applications.
It's important to note that the specific ingredients and ratios vary depending on the manufacturer and the intended use of the fertilizer.